Jozi Cats are about to go on their first tour.

Well, they’ve been hard at work growing the team (and expanding to other provinces) and are about to go on their first tour. Obviously it wouldn’t be the JoziCats if they didn’t have a suitable provocative video to promote their tour… but that’s not what the journey is all about.

Homophobia in sport remains a serious issue, especially in a “macho” culture like South Africa and the team is hoping to change at least some of that through this tour.

“We have launched a heartfelt Campaign called #BTheWhislte On Homophobia In Sport #GayRugbyTour to raise awareness and start a global conversation around the impact homophobia in sport has on sportsmen and women, our view on the solution and what we intend to do about it on this tour,” Anthony Seger, spokesperson for the club, told TheSouthAfrican.com.

“Sport is one of the last few pockets of our social fabric where homophobia is tolerated and socially acceptable. A professional athlete should be recognised for their mastery and commitment to their craft and not discriminated against for their sexual identity.

“In the same vain professional athletes often serve as role models that the youth and fans alike, aspire to follow in their footstep or emulate them as a Hero and bigotry should not be tolerated.

“For this reason professional athletes, officials, fans and associations alike, need to take it upon themselves – each individually and collectively, to #BTheWhislte on homophobia in sport.”

But sport isn’t the only pocket of society where discrimination exists. Noluvo Swelindawo, a gay activist in Driftsands was murdered in an alleged hate crime. According to The Daily Vox, she part of the Sikhumbule Safe Space group, which holds awareness campaigns, workshops in schools and marches on homosexuality, transgenderism and gender-based matters.

Swelindawo’s stories and others like hers are the ones that need to be told again and again. And while sport might seem “insignificant” in the greater scheme of things, when the reality many gay people face is much bigger than a rugby match, maybe, just maybe, with more awareness and more loud voices, we can start having some honest and much needed conversations.